Ecclesiastes 5:8

"For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God."

Key Reflection

In the ancient Near East, dreams were often seen as a means of divine communication, yet Ecclesiastes 5:8 suggests that even these supposed revelations can be unreliable and fleeting, much like excessive words spoken in haste. The original audience would have understood that while they placed significance on dreams and words from spiritual leaders or prophets, the wise person should ultimately fear God, recognizing that true wisdom and guidance come directly from divine sources rather than relying solely on external signs or human interpretations.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Matter -Rather, purpose (as in the margin, andEcclesiastes 3:1), referring either to the will of God or to the edict of an oppressive ruler. For he ... they -literally, for high watches over high and the highest over them, i. e., the king in the capital watches over the judge or governor in the province, and God over both. This seems more in harmony with the preceding verses, and more agreeable to the scope of this passage than to understand the passage only of earthly rulers.

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